Lean Behavioral Health

Joseph P. Merlino is the chief executive for behavioral health services and Director of Psychiatry at Kings County Hospital Center, where he leads the transformation efforts of one of the largest public hospitals in New York. Previously he was Director of Psychiatry at Queens Hospital Center. He is also Professor of Psychiatry at the State University of New York - Downstate Medical College and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College. He received a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York. Dr. Merlino is on the Board of Directors for the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry where he chairs the Committee on Administration and Leadership. Dr. Merlino is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the American College of Psychiatrists. He is a past president of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry.Joanna Omi is chief innovation officer and senior vice president for organizational innovation and effectiveness at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC). Ms. Omi provides leadership and operational guidance to Breakthrough, the HHC Enterprise-wide Improvement System. She is responsible for the development and adoption of lean throughout HHC's various healthcare facilities and corporate offices. Prior to her current position, Ms. Omi was HHC's Senior Assistant Vice President for Corporate Planning and HIV Services. In this capacity, she led the Corporation's planning efforts and managed special projects, including the Corporate Ambulatory Care Restructuring Initiative, the Community Health Care Demonstration Project, HIV/AIDS programs and development of the first federally qualified health center on Staten Island. Previously, Ms. Omi was Executive Director of the New York City HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, served as Senior Policy Analyst for Budget and Legislation in the Mayor's Office on Health Policy, and directed HIV/AIDS and prenatal programs in the Bay Area.Jill Bowen is the senior associate executive director and chief of staff for Behavioral Health Services at Kings County Hospital Center. Trained as a clinical psychologist, receiving her master's degree and doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies/Adelphi University. Her work has included direct care as a member of an interdisciplinary acute care clinical team and increasing supervisory work in clinical and forensic psychology. She was the Deputy Director and unit chief of the Forensic Psychiatry Service at Kings County Hospital Center before moving on to work in senior administration within Behavioral Health, focusing on strategic planning and process improvement. She has been employed at Kings County Hospital Center for the past 26 years and has played a significant role in the transformation of the services provided in the Behavioral Health department across the continuum of care.